“I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien

In this famous quote, Bilbo is, in a very roundabout way, saying that he wished he had gotten to know more of the folks in the Shire and he feels that they deserved to be liked more than he likes them.

This year, we’re making a commitment to travel to some of our favorite suppliers and manufacturers, meet with them to learn their story, and put a spotlight on all the wonder they have to offer by writing articles about their operations. We’re hoping to make some new friends along the way; and we believe that small businesses play a crucial role in heightening the human experience by bringing together folks from all walks of a life and giving them common ground to meet and exchange interests. Without friends and human interaction, life would be a hollow venture.

Our first story brings us to our friends at Uhle’s Tobacco Company in Milwaukee, WI. We’re excited to show you the wonderful gem we dug up by visiting the Uhle’s group! Keep an eye out for this very special article this month – this exceptional tobacco shop is really something.

Also keep an eye out for our Mother’s Day article – we’ve got a story that will be sure to make you call up your mom and tell her that you love her.

As always, keep an eye out for all of our fresh content each week! If you own a business and would like us to do a story on you, please feel free to reach out to us. We’d be happy to chat and visit with anyone and everyone!

The more the merrier!

The post Grab a Friend! appeared first on Bourbon Tobacco Wine.

“I would rather spend one lifetime with you, than face all the ages of this world alone.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien

We may not all be able to express the epic romance of an elf giving up their immortality to spend their life with the one they love, but there are certainly countless ways to let our special interest know how deeply we care for them.

Personally, this month is particularly special for me. February 2nd, 2021 marks ten years since I started dating my wife. My Valentine’s Day with her all those years ago was the first I had spent with someone else. I remember my nervous, awkward self taking her to a mediocre restaurant that we never went back to. I was quiet and terrible at talking to girls, so she artfully broke the ice by throwing salt and pepper into my drink. The rest of the evening was spent with us just throwing condiments in each others’ drinks, and it was then that I knew it was true love.

Our very own Captain Cork also had his first baby this month on February 5th, so that’s exciting! Congratulations, Captain!

Love is arguably the most powerful and evocative possession we have as human beings and there is absolutely every reason to celebrate it, regardless of how gimmicky Valentine’s Day can be. Love is the key driving force behind some of the biggest decisions we make in our entire lives. Love can build us up, make us stronger, and inspire us to become and achieve things we never would have otherwise dreamed of. It can also destroy us and break us down in a heartbeat, revealing to us our innermost demons and flaws.

For many, love is the focal point of their life. My wife is my world – my muse and my drive. My main purpose in life is to serve, provide for, and take care of her. While most people may not be this dramatic and intense with their love, it is important to remember that love is a profound endeavor; and while it is something that takes many forms and buds and grows and goes through countless stages, it is a disservice to yourself and your love interest to give anything less than your full attention and effort to your relationship. That doesn’t mean sacrificing your individuality, as it’s healthy to respect each other’s independence, but you should always be fully engaged in your relationship. And as with all things in life, the more you put into love, the more you will get out of it.

With that, it’s vital to express your love and show the one you care about how you feel. There are many traditional ways to do this – give gifts, go on dates, celebrate anniversaries. But the little day-to-day actions play just as big of a role as the special occasion activities do. Make sure you listen to your love’s troubles and interests; do a chore for them that they hate; go out of your way to get them their favorite snack; nothing is trivial. There are endless opportunities to show your love and care for your partner every day – it’s amazing how far genuine acts of selfless service can go.

With all of that being said, one way to show your love is to share your favorite drink or smoke with your loved one – or to partake in their favorites with them. It may be unconventional, but even tobacco has a place for romance in my heart, as I remember growing up and seeing my parents occasionally smoking cigars together on clear autumn nights as they gazed at the stars. I also received my first real tobacco pipe as a Valentine’s Day gift from my wife eight years ago, which I still use today.

This month we will be celebrating Valentine’s Day with a special wine recommendation from Captain Cork for your perfect date! If you don’t have a date this year, feel free to browse our bourbon reviews and pick one out for a nice, quiet evening by yourself.

We’re going to keep plugging away with fresh content, so keep an eye out for new articles every week!

Love as hard as your drink!

The post It’s the Season of Love! appeared first on Bourbon Tobacco Wine.

“I have found that it is the small everyday deed of ordinary folks that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien

It’s important to remember to be kind to each other, most especially during times of hardship and apparent darkness. Something as small as a compliment can help brighten someone’s day. 

We’re still going strong with our tastings and articles. In the next few months, we hope to really buckle down and put out helpful and informative material for those who are just entering the worlds of bourbon, tobacco, and wine. There’s a lot to learn, and we’ve got a lot to share. Our beginner’s guides will get you off on the right foot to being an expert in no time.

We’re going to keep sampling some great (and possibly not-so-great) items and give you the whole scoop! We also highly recommend you do some sampling of your own. There’s nothing like a great drink and a relaxing smoke to get you through the winter. 

That’s it for this month. Stay tuned and keep checking in each week for new material! 

Stay strong and be kind!

The post Starting the New Year Right appeared first on Bourbon Tobacco Wine.